System and method for lateral vehicle detection

ABSTRACT

A system and method for lateral vehicle detection is disclosed. A particular embodiment can be configured to: receive lateral image data from at least one laterally-facing camera associated with an autonomous vehicle; warp the lateral image data based on a line parallel to a side of the autonomous vehicle; perform object extraction on the warped lateral image data to identify extracted objects in the warped lateral image data; and apply bounding boxes around the extracted objects.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the disclosure hereinand to the drawings that form a part of this document: Copyright2016-2020, TuSimple, All Rights Reserved.

Priority/Related Documents

This patent document claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/924,249, filed on Mar. 18, 2018, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent document pertains generally to tools (systems, apparatuses,methodologies, computer program products, etc.) for image processing,vehicle control systems, and autonomous driving systems, and moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, to a system and method forlateral vehicle detection.

BACKGROUND

Object detection is a fundamental problem for numerous vision tasks,including image segmentation, semantic instance segmentation, anddetected object reasoning. Detecting all objects in a trafficenvironment, such as cars, buses, pedestrians, and bicycles, is crucialfor building an autonomous driving system. Failure to detect an object(e.g., a car or a person) may lead to malfunction of the motion planningmodule of an autonomous driving car, thus resulting in a catastrophicaccident. As such, object detection for autonomous vehicles is animportant operational and safety issue.

Object detection can involve the analysis of images and the use ofsemantic segmentation on the images. Semantic segmentation aims toassign a categorical label to every pixel in an image, which plays animportant role in image analysis and self-driving systems. The semanticsegmentation framework provides pixel-level categorical labeling, but nosingle object-level instance can be discovered. Current object detectionframeworks, although useful, cannot recover the shape of the object ordeal with the lateral object detection problem. Current technologytypically uses two-dimensional bounding boxes applied to images fromforward-facing cameras to detect proximate objects, such as othervehicles. However, the angled view of laterally-facing cameras creates adistortion of the images, which degrades the utility and efficiency ofthe use of bounding boxes for object detection and analysis. As such, amore accurate and efficient detection of lateral objects is needed forautonomous vehicle operation.

SUMMARY

A system and method for lateral vehicle detection are disclosed. Theexample system and method for lateral vehicle detection can include anautonomous lateral vehicle detection system configured to receivelateral image data from at least one laterally-facing camera associatedwith an autonomous vehicle; warp the lateral image data based on a lineparallel to a side of the autonomous vehicle; perform object extractionon the warped lateral image data to identify extracted objects in thewarped lateral image data; and apply bounding boxes around the extractedobjects. The autonomous lateral vehicle detection system can be furtherconfigured to receive lateral image data from a plurality oflaterally-facing cameras of the autonomous vehicle, the autonomouslateral vehicle detection system being further configured to: identifymatching portions of extracted features from the warped lateral imagedata from different ones of the plurality of laterally-facing cameras;stitch together images based on the matching portions of the extractedfeatures; and stitch together bounding boxes based on the matchingportions of the extracted objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not byway of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example ecosystem in which anin-vehicle image processing module of an example embodiment can beimplemented;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an autonomous or host vehicle with aplurality of laterally-facing cameras;

FIG. 3 illustrates conventional or current technology that usestwo-dimensional bounding boxes to identify objects from images producedby forward-facing cameras;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the distortion produced by alateral-facing camera;

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an example of the reduced visible range oflaterally-facing cameras;

FIG. 7 illustrates a sample raw image from a laterally-facing camera ofan autonomous or host vehicle;

FIG. 8 illustrates the same raw image example of FIG. 7 after warping ofthe lateral image data from the laterally-facing camera;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of sample images received from a forwardlateral camera and a backward/rear lateral camera, wherein matchingfeature points from each of the image data sets can be used to align theimages from each of multiple laterally-facing cameras;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of sample images from multiplelaterally-facing cameras being stitched together or combined to form asingle contiguous image representing a combined image from multiplelaterally-facing cameras;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a sample image from a singlelaterally-facing camera or a stitched image from multiplelaterally-facing cameras wherein a bounding box has been applied to anobject detected in the one or more laterally-facing camera images;

FIG. 12 is an operational flow diagram illustrating an exampleembodiment of a system and method for processing images received fromeach of multiple laterally-facing cameras of an autonomous or hostvehicle;

FIG. 13 illustrates components of the autonomous lateral vehicledetection system for autonomous vehicles of an example embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a process flow diagram illustrating an example embodiment ofa system and method for lateral vehicle detection; and

FIG. 15 shows a diagrammatic representation of machine in the exampleform of a computer system within which a set of instructions whenexecuted may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the various embodiments. It will be evident, however,to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various embodiments may bepracticed without these specific details.

As described in various example embodiments, a system and method forlateral vehicle detection are described herein. An example embodimentdisclosed herein can be used in the context of an in-vehicle controlsystem 150 in a vehicle ecosystem 101. In one example embodiment, anin-vehicle control system 150 with an image processing module 200resident in a vehicle 105 can be configured like the architecture andecosystem 101 illustrated in FIG. 1. However, it will be apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art that the image processing module 200described and claimed herein can be implemented, configured, and used ina variety of other applications and systems as well.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram illustrates an exampleecosystem 101 in which an in-vehicle control system 150 and an imageprocessing module 200 of an example embodiment can be implemented. Thesecomponents are described in more detail below. Ecosystem 101 includes avariety of systems and components that can generate and/or deliver oneor more sources of information/data and related services to thein-vehicle control system 150 and the image processing module 200, whichcan be installed in the vehicle 105. For example, a camera installed inthe vehicle 105, as one of the devices of vehicle subsystems 140, cangenerate image and timing data that can be received by the in-vehiclecontrol system 150. One or more of the cameras installed in the vehicle105 can be laterally-facing or oriented to capture images on a side ofthe vehicle 105. The in-vehicle control system 150 and the imageprocessing module 200 executing therein can receive this image andtiming data input. As described in more detail below, the imageprocessing module 200 can process the image input and extract objectfeatures, which can be used by an autonomous vehicle control subsystem,as another one of the subsystems of vehicle subsystems 140. Theautonomous vehicle control subsystem, for example, can use the real-timeextracted object features to safely and efficiently navigate and controlthe vehicle 105 through a real world driving environment while avoidingobstacles and safely controlling the vehicle.

In an example embodiment as described herein, the in-vehicle controlsystem 150 can be in data communication with a plurality of vehiclesubsystems 140, all of which can be resident in a user's vehicle 105. Avehicle subsystem interface 141 is provided to facilitate datacommunication between the in-vehicle control system 150 and theplurality of vehicle subsystems 140. The in-vehicle control system 150can be configured to include a data processor 171 to execute the imageprocessing module 200 for processing image data received from one ormore of the vehicle subsystems 140. The data processor 171 can becombined with a data storage device 172 as part of a computing system170 in the in-vehicle control system 150. The data storage device 172can be used to store data, processing parameters, and data processinginstructions. A processing module interface 165 can be provided tofacilitate data communications between the data processor 171 and theimage processing module 200. In various example embodiments, a pluralityof processing modules, configured similarly to image processing module200, can be provided for execution by data processor 171. As shown bythe dashed lines in FIG. 1, the image processing module 200 can beintegrated into the in-vehicle control system 150, optionally downloadedto the in-vehicle control system 150, or deployed separately from thein-vehicle control system 150.

The in-vehicle control system 150 can be configured to receive ortransmit data from/to a wide-area network 120 and network resources 122connected thereto. An in-vehicle web-enabled device 130 and/or a usermobile device 132 can be used to communicate via network 120. Aweb-enabled device interface 131 can be used by the in-vehicle controlsystem 150 to facilitate data communication between the in-vehiclecontrol system 150 and the network 120 via the in-vehicle web-enableddevice 130. Similarly, a user mobile device interface 133 can be used bythe in-vehicle control system 150 to facilitate data communicationbetween the in-vehicle control system 150 and the network 120 via theuser mobile device 132. In this manner, the in-vehicle control system150 can obtain real-time access to network resources 122 via network120. The network resources 122 can be used to obtain processing modulesfor execution by data processor 171, data content to train internalneural networks, system parameters, or other data.

The ecosystem 101 can include a wide area data network 120. The network120 represents one or more conventional wide area data networks, such asthe Internet, a cellular telephone network, satellite network, pagernetwork, a wireless broadcast network, gaming network, WiFi network,peer-to-peer network, Voice over IP (VoIP) network, etc. One or more ofthese networks 120 can be used to connect a user or client system withnetwork resources 122, such as web sites, servers, central controlsites, or the like. The network resources 122 can generate and/ordistribute data, which can be received in vehicle 105 via in-vehicleweb-enabled devices 130 or user mobile devices 132. The networkresources 122 can also host network cloud services, which can supportthe functionality used to compute or assist in processing image input orimage input analysis. Antennas can serve to connect the in-vehiclecontrol system 150 and the image processing module 200 with the datanetwork 120 via cellular, satellite, radio, or other conventional signalreception mechanisms. Such cellular data networks are currentlyavailable (e.g., Verizon™, AT&T™, T-Mobile™, etc.). Such satellite-baseddata or content networks are also currently available (e.g., SiriusXM™,HughesNet™, etc.). The conventional broadcast networks, such as AM/FMradio networks, pager networks, UHF networks, gaming networks, WiFinetworks, peer-to-peer networks, Voice over IP (VoIP) networks, and thelike are also well-known. Thus, as described in more detail below, thein-vehicle control system 150 and the image processing module 200 canreceive web-based data or content via an in-vehicle web-enabled deviceinterface 131, which can be used to connect with the in-vehicleweb-enabled device receiver 130 and network 120. In this manner, thein-vehicle control system 150 and the image processing module 200 cansupport a variety of network-connectable in-vehicle devices and systemsfrom within a vehicle 105.

As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle control system 150 and the imageprocessing module 200 can also receive data, image processing controlparameters, and training content from user mobile devices 132, which canbe located inside or proximately to the vehicle 105. The user mobiledevices 132 can represent standard mobile devices, such as cellularphones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDA's), MP3 players,tablet computing devices (e.g., iPad™), laptop computers, CD players,and other mobile devices, which can produce, receive, and/or deliverdata, image processing control parameters, and content for thein-vehicle control system 150 and the image processing module 200. Asshown in FIG. 1, the mobile devices 132 can also be in datacommunication with the network cloud 120. The mobile devices 132 cansource data and content from internal memory components of the mobiledevices 132 themselves or from network resources 122 via network 120.Additionally, mobile devices 132 can themselves include a GPS datareceiver, accelerometers, WiFi triangulation, or other geo-locationsensors or components in the mobile device, which can be used todetermine the real-time geo-location of the user (via the mobile device)at any moment in time. In any case, the in-vehicle control system 150and the image processing module 200 can receive data from the mobiledevices 132 as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the example embodiment of ecosystem 101 caninclude vehicle operational subsystems 140. For embodiments that areimplemented in a vehicle 105, many standard vehicles include operationalsubsystems, such as electronic control units (ECUs), supportingmonitoring/control subsystems for the engine, brakes, transmission,electrical system, emissions system, interior environment, and the like.For example, data signals communicated from the vehicle operationalsubsystems 140 (e.g., ECUs of the vehicle 105) to the in-vehicle controlsystem 150 via vehicle subsystem interface 141 may include informationabout the state of one or more of the components or subsystems of thevehicle 105. In particular, the data signals, which can be communicatedfrom the vehicle operational subsystems 140 to a Controller Area Network(CAN) bus of the vehicle 105, can be received and processed by thein-vehicle control system 150 via vehicle subsystem interface 141.Embodiments of the systems and methods described herein can be used withsubstantially any mechanized system that uses a CAN bus or similar datacommunications bus as defined herein, including, but not limited to,industrial equipment, boats, trucks, machinery, or automobiles; thus,the term “vehicle” as used herein can include any such mechanizedsystems. Embodiments of the systems and methods described herein canalso be used with any systems employing some form of network datacommunications; however, such network communications are not required.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the example embodiment of ecosystem 101, andthe vehicle operational subsystems 140 therein, can include a variety ofvehicle subsystems in support of the operation of vehicle 105. Ingeneral, the vehicle 105 may take the form of a car, truck, motorcycle,bus, boat, airplane, helicopter, lawn mower, earth mover, snowmobile,aircraft, recreational vehicle, amusement park vehicle, farm equipment,construction equipment, tram, golf cart, train, and trolley, forexample. Other vehicles are possible as well. The vehicle 105 may beconfigured to operate fully or partially in an autonomous mode. Forexample, the vehicle 105 may control itself while in the autonomousmode, and may be operable to determine a current state of the vehicleand its environment, determine a predicted behavior of at least oneother vehicle in the environment, determine a confidence level that maycorrespond to a likelihood of the at least one other vehicle to performthe predicted behavior, and control the vehicle 105 based on thedetermined information. While in autonomous mode, the vehicle 105 may beconfigured to operate without human interaction.

The vehicle 105 may include various vehicle subsystems such as a vehicledrive subsystem 142, vehicle sensor subsystem 144, vehicle controlsubsystem 146, and occupant interface subsystem 148. As described above,the vehicle 105 may also include the in-vehicle control system 150, thecomputing system 170, and the image processing module 200. The vehicle105 may include more or fewer subsystems and each subsystem couldinclude multiple elements. Further, each of the subsystems and elementsof vehicle 105 could be interconnected. Thus, one or more of thedescribed functions of the vehicle 105 may be divided up into additionalfunctional or physical components or combined into fewer functional orphysical components. In some further examples, additional functional andphysical components may be added to the examples illustrated by FIG. 1.

The vehicle drive subsystem 142 may include components operable toprovide powered motion for the vehicle 105. In an example embodiment,the vehicle drive subsystem 142 may include an engine or motor,wheels/tires, a transmission, an electrical subsystem, and a powersource. The engine or motor may be any combination of an internalcombustion engine, an electric motor, steam engine, fuel cell engine,propane engine, or other types of engines or motors. In some exampleembodiments, the engine may be configured to convert a power source intomechanical energy. In some example embodiments, the vehicle drivesubsystem 142 may include multiple types of engines or motors. Forinstance, a gas-electric hybrid car could include a gasoline engine andan electric motor. Other examples are possible.

The wheels of the vehicle 105 may be standard tires. The wheels of thevehicle 105 may be configured in various formats, including a unicycle,bicycle, tricycle, or a four-wheel format, such as on a car or a truck,for example. Other wheel geometries are possible, such as thoseincluding six or more wheels. Any combination of the wheels of vehicle105 may be operable to rotate differentially with respect to otherwheels. The wheels may represent at least one wheel that is fixedlyattached to the transmission and at least one tire coupled to a rim ofthe wheel that could make contact with the driving surface. The wheelsmay include a combination of metal and rubber, or another combination ofmaterials. The transmission may include elements that are operable totransmit mechanical power from the engine to the wheels. For thispurpose, the transmission could include a gearbox, a clutch, adifferential, and drive shafts. The transmission may include otherelements as well. The drive shafts may include one or more axles thatcould be coupled to one or more wheels. The electrical system mayinclude elements that are operable to transfer and control electricalsignals in the vehicle 105. These electrical signals can be used toactivate lights, servos, electrical motors, and other electricallydriven or controlled devices of the vehicle 105. The power source mayrepresent a source of energy that may, in full or in part, power theengine or motor. That is, the engine or motor could be configured toconvert the power source into mechanical energy. Examples of powersources include gasoline, diesel, other petroleum-based fuels, propane,other compressed gas-based fuels, ethanol, fuel cell, solar panels,batteries, and other sources of electrical power. The power source couldadditionally or alternatively include any combination of fuel tanks,batteries, capacitors, or flywheels. The power source may also provideenergy for other subsystems of the vehicle 105.

The vehicle sensor subsystem 144 may include a number of sensorsconfigured to sense information about an environment or condition of thevehicle 105. For example, the vehicle sensor subsystem 144 may includean inertial measurement unit (IMU), a Global Positioning System (GPS)transceiver, a RADAR unit, a laser range finder/LIDAR unit, and one ormore cameras or image capture devices. The vehicle sensor subsystem 144may also include sensors configured to monitor internal systems of thevehicle 105 (e.g., an 02 monitor, a fuel gauge, an engine oiltemperature). Other sensors are possible as well. One or more of thesensors included in the vehicle sensor subsystem 144 may be configuredto be actuated separately or collectively in order to modify a position,an orientation, or both, of the one or more sensors.

The IMU may include any combination of sensors (e.g., accelerometers andgyroscopes) configured to sense position and orientation changes of thevehicle 105 based on inertial acceleration. The GPS transceiver may beany sensor configured to estimate a geographic location of the vehicle105. For this purpose, the GPS transceiver may include areceiver/transmitter operable to provide information regarding theposition of the vehicle 105 with respect to the Earth. The RADAR unitmay represent a system that utilizes radio signals to sense objectswithin the local environment of the vehicle 105. In some embodiments, inaddition to sensing the objects, the RADAR unit may additionally beconfigured to sense the speed and the heading of the objects proximateto the vehicle 105. The laser range finder or LIDAR unit may be anysensor configured to sense objects in the environment in which thevehicle 105 is located using lasers. In an example embodiment, the laserrange finder/LIDAR unit may include one or more laser sources, a laserscanner, and one or more detectors, among other system components. Thelaser range finder/LIDAR unit could be configured to operate in acoherent (e.g., using heterodyne detection) or an incoherent detectionmode. The cameras may include one or more devices configured to capturea plurality of images of the environment of the vehicle 105. The camerasmay be still image cameras or motion video cameras.

The vehicle control system 146 may be configured to control operation ofthe vehicle 105 and its components. Accordingly, the vehicle controlsystem 146 may include various elements such as a steering unit, athrottle, a brake unit, a navigation unit, and an autonomous controlunit.

The steering unit may represent any combination of mechanisms that maybe operable to adjust the heading of vehicle 105. The throttle may beconfigured to control, for instance, the operating speed of the engineand, in turn, control the speed of the vehicle 105. The brake unit caninclude any combination of mechanisms configured to decelerate thevehicle 105. The brake unit can use friction to slow the wheels in astandard manner. In other embodiments, the brake unit may convert thekinetic energy of the wheels to electric current. The brake unit maytake other forms as well. The navigation unit may be any systemconfigured to determine a driving path or route for the vehicle 105. Thenavigation unit may additionally be configured to update the drivingpath dynamically while the vehicle 105 is in operation. In someembodiments, the navigation unit may be configured to incorporate datafrom the image processing module 200, the GPS transceiver, and one ormore predetermined maps so as to determine the driving path for thevehicle 105. The autonomous control unit may represent a control systemconfigured to identify, evaluate, and avoid or otherwise negotiatepotential obstacles in the environment of the vehicle 105. In general,the autonomous control unit may be configured to control the vehicle 105for operation without a driver or to provide driver assistance incontrolling the vehicle 105. In some embodiments, the autonomous controlunit may be configured to incorporate data from the image processingmodule 200, the GPS transceiver, the RADAR, the LIDAR, the cameras, andother vehicle subsystems to determine the driving path or trajectory forthe vehicle 105. The vehicle control system 146 may additionally oralternatively include components other than those shown and described.

Occupant interface subsystems 148 may be configured to allow interactionbetween the vehicle 105 and external sensors, other vehicles, othercomputer systems, and/or an occupant or user of vehicle 105. Forexample, the occupant interface subsystems 148 may include standardvisual display devices (e.g., plasma displays, liquid crystal displays(LCDs), touchscreen displays, heads-up displays, or the like), speakersor other audio output devices, microphones or other audio input devices,navigation interfaces, and interfaces for controlling the internalenvironment (e.g., temperature, fan, etc.) of the vehicle 105.

In an example embodiment, the occupant interface subsystems 148 mayprovide, for instance, means for a user/occupant of the vehicle 105 tointeract with the other vehicle subsystems. The visual display devicesmay provide information to a user of the vehicle 105. The user interfacedevices can also be operable to accept input from the user via atouchscreen. The touchscreen may be configured to sense at least one ofa position and a movement of a user's finger via capacitive sensing,resistance sensing, or a surface acoustic wave process, among otherpossibilities. The touchscreen may be capable of sensing finger movementin a direction parallel or planar to the touchscreen surface, in adirection normal to the touchscreen surface, or both, and may also becapable of sensing a level of pressure applied to the touchscreensurface. The touchscreen may be formed of one or more translucent ortransparent insulating layers and one or more translucent or transparentconducting layers. The touchscreen may take other forms as well.

In other instances, the occupant interface subsystems 148 may providemeans for the vehicle 105 to communicate with devices within itsenvironment. The microphone may be configured to receive audio (e.g., avoice command or other audio input) from a user of the vehicle 105.Similarly, the speakers may be configured to output audio to a user ofthe vehicle 105. In one example embodiment, the occupant interfacesubsystems 148 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with one ormore devices directly or via a communication network. For example, awireless communication system could use 3G cellular communication, suchas CDMA, EVDO, GSM/GPRS, or 4G cellular communication, such as WiMAX orLTE. Alternatively, the wireless communication system may communicatewith a wireless local area network (WLAN), for example, using WIFI®. Insome embodiments, the wireless communication system 146 may communicatedirectly with a device, for example, using an infrared link, BLUETOOTH®,or ZIGBEE®. Other wireless protocols, such as various vehicularcommunication systems, are possible within the context of thedisclosure. For example, the wireless communication system may includeone or more dedicated short range communications (DSRC) devices that mayinclude public or private data communications between vehicles and/orroadside stations.

Many or all of the functions of the vehicle 105 can be controlled by thecomputing system 170. The computing system 170 may include at least onedata processor 171 (which can include at least one microprocessor) thatexecutes processing instructions stored in a non-transitory computerreadable medium, such as the data storage device 172. The computingsystem 170 may also represent a plurality of computing devices that mayserve to control individual components or subsystems of the vehicle 105in a distributed fashion. In some embodiments, the data storage device172 may contain processing instructions (e.g., program logic) executableby the data processor 171 to perform various functions of the vehicle105, including those described herein in connection with the drawings.The data storage device 172 may contain additional instructions as well,including instructions to transmit data to, receive data from, interactwith, or control one or more of the vehicle drive subsystem 142, thevehicle sensor subsystem 144, the vehicle control subsystem 146, and theoccupant interface subsystems 148.

In addition to the processing instructions, the data storage device 172may store data such as image processing parameters, training data,roadway maps, and path information, among other information. Suchinformation may be used by the vehicle 105 and the computing system 170during the operation of the vehicle 105 in the autonomous,semi-autonomous, and/or manual modes.

The vehicle 105 may include a user interface for providing informationto or receiving input from a user or occupant of the vehicle 105. Theuser interface may control or enable control of the content and thelayout of interactive images that may be displayed on a display device.Further, the user interface may include one or more input/output deviceswithin the set of occupant interface subsystems 148, such as the displaydevice, the speakers, the microphones, or a wireless communicationsystem.

The computing system 170 may control the function of the vehicle 105based on inputs received from various vehicle subsystems (e.g., thevehicle drive subsystem 142, the vehicle sensor subsystem 144, and thevehicle control subsystem 146), as well as from the occupant interfacesubsystem 148. For example, the computing system 170 may use input fromthe vehicle control system 146 in order to control the steering unit toavoid an obstacle detected by the vehicle sensor subsystem 144 and theimage processing module 200, move in a controlled manner, or follow apath or trajectory based on output generated by the image processingmodule 200. In an example embodiment, the computing system 170 can beoperable to provide control over many aspects of the vehicle 105 and itssubsystems.

Although FIG. 1 shows various components of vehicle 105, e.g., vehiclesubsystems 140, computing system 170, data storage device 172, and imageprocessing module 200, as being integrated into the vehicle 105, one ormore of these components could be mounted or associated separately fromthe vehicle 105. For example, data storage device 172 could, in part orin full, exist separate from the vehicle 105. Thus, the vehicle 105could be provided in the form of device elements that may be locatedseparately or together. The device elements that make up vehicle 105could be communicatively coupled together in a wired or wirelessfashion.

Additionally, other data and/or content (denoted herein as ancillarydata) can be obtained from local and/or remote sources by the in-vehiclecontrol system 150 as described above. The ancillary data can be used toaugment, modify, or train the operation of the image processing module200 based on a variety of factors including, the context in which theuser is operating the vehicle (e.g., the location of the vehicle, thespecified destination, direction of travel, speed, the time of day, thestatus of the vehicle, etc.), and a variety of other data obtainablefrom the variety of sources, local and remote, as described herein.

In a particular embodiment, the in-vehicle control system 150 and theimage processing module 200 can be implemented as in-vehicle componentsof vehicle 105. In various example embodiments, the in-vehicle controlsystem 150 and the image processing module 200 in data communicationtherewith can be implemented as integrated components or as separatecomponents. In an example embodiment, the software components of thein-vehicle control system 150 and/or the image processing module 200 canbe dynamically upgraded, modified, and/or augmented by use of the dataconnection with the mobile devices 132 and/or the network resources 122via network 120. The in-vehicle control system 150 can periodicallyquery a mobile device 132 or a network resource 122 for updates orupdates can be pushed to the in-vehicle control system 150.

System and Method for Lateral Vehicle Detection

A system and method for lateral vehicle detection are disclosed. Theexample system and method for lateral vehicle detection can include anautonomous lateral vehicle detection system configured to receivelateral image data from at least one laterally-facing camera associatedwith an autonomous vehicle; warp the lateral image data based on a lineparallel to a side of the autonomous vehicle; perform object extractionon the warped lateral image data to identify extracted objects in thewarped lateral image data; and apply bounding boxes around the extractedobjects. The autonomous lateral vehicle detection system can be furtherconfigured to receive lateral image data from a plurality oflaterally-facing cameras of the autonomous vehicle, the autonomouslateral vehicle detection system being further configured to: identifymatching portions of extracted features from the warped lateral imagedata from different ones of the plurality of laterally-facing cameras;stitch together images based on the matching portions of the extractedfeatures; and stitch together bounding boxes based on the matchingportions of the extracted objects.

In an example embodiment, an autonomous or host vehicle can beconfigured to include one or more laterally-facing cameras. For example,the one or more cameras installed in or on the vehicle 105 can belaterally-facing or oriented to capture images on a side of the vehicle105. An example of a vehicle with a plurality of laterally-facingcameras is illustrated in FIG. 2. In the example shown, an autonomous orhost vehicle 105 can be configured with a forward left side camera, abackward left side camera, a forward right side camera, a backward rightside camera. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artthat a greater or lesser quantity of laterally-facing cameras and anyvariation on the positioning of the laterally-facing cameras can be usedfor a particular application of the technology described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 3, current technology typically usestwo-dimensional bounding boxes to identify objects from images producedby forward-facing cameras. Because of the regular contour (e.g.,typically rectangular) of the vehicles detected in the forward-facingimages and the lack of distortion of the objects in the forward-facingimages, it is often better to present the occupied space of the detectedobjects by using a rectangular bounding box (BBox) as shown in FIG. 3.In the images produced by forward-facing cameras, most of the pixelswithin the object bounding boxes represent pixels of the detectedobjects rather than extraneous pixels of the background. Thus, therectangular bounding boxes fit well around detected objects in theimages produced by forward-facing cameras.

However, for lateral-facing cameras, the standard rectangulartwo-dimensional bounding box is not a good fit to represent the occupiedspace of a detected object. This is because lateral-facing camerasproduce a change in the angle of view that causes a slight distortion inthe image and the detected objects therein. An example of the distortionproduced by a lateral-facing camera is illustrated in FIG. 4. As shownin FIG. 4, the detected object (e.g., the vehicle) is oriented at aslight angle relative to the autonomous or host vehicle. If a standardrectangular bounding box is applied to this detected object as shown inFIG. 4, the rectangular bounding box does not fit well around theslightly angled detected object. In particular, many of the pixelswithin the object bounding box represent pixels of the extraneousbackground rather than pixels of the detected object itself. This isbecause the slightly angled detected object does not align well with theborders of the standard rectangular bounding box, given the slightdistortion in the images produced by the lateral-facing cameras. As aresult, for images produced by lateral-facing cameras, the standardrectangular bounding box cannot accurately represent the real occupiedspace, the real position, or and actual size of the detected object inthree-dimensional space. Thus, the slight distortion in the imagesproduced by the lateral-facing cameras creates problems in the detectionand analysis of objects in the images.

Moreover, because of the angle of the lateral-facing cameras relative tothe autonomous or host vehicle, the visible range of the lateral-facingcameras is smaller than the typical visible range of forward-facingcameras. This is because a detected object in the lateral direction istypically closer to the autonomous or host vehicle with a smallerportion of the detected object in the field of view. An example of thereduced visible range of laterally-facing cameras is illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 illustrates a sample image from a forward rightside lateral camera. FIG. 6 illustrates a sample image from abackward/rear right side lateral camera. As shown in the example ofFIGS. 5 and 6, because of the reduced visible range of thelateral-facing cameras, a portion of the same object can be detected inthe images from both the forward right side lateral camera and thebackward/rear right side lateral camera. Under these circumstances,conventional object processing techniques can encounter problems or failaltogether.

In the various example embodiments disclosed herein, the example systemand method for lateral vehicle detection can include an autonomouslateral vehicle detection system configured to receive lateral imagedata from at least one laterally-facing camera associated with anautonomous vehicle; warp the lateral image data based on a line parallelto a side of the autonomous vehicle; perform object extraction on thewarped lateral image data to identify extracted objects in the warpedlateral image data; and apply bounding boxes around the extractedobjects. In the various example embodiments, the images from thelaterally-facing cameras are purposely warped to better align thelateral images with the current orientation of the autonomous or hostvehicle. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a sample raw image from alaterally-facing camera of an autonomous or host vehicle. FIG. 8illustrates the same raw image example of FIG. 7 after warping of thelateral image data from the laterally-facing camera. In an exampleembodiment, the lateral image data is warped to align a bottom edge ofthe image with roadway lane markings or linear edges or features of anobject detected in the image (e.g., see the example of FIG. 8). Becausethe orientation of the laterally-facing camera is known when thelaterally-facing camera is installed on the autonomous or host vehicle,the orientation of the bottom edge of the lateral image data can beknown and/or configured. Configuration parameters can be provided tovary this orientation of the bottom edge of the lateral image data asneeded. Based on the installation of the laterally-facing camera on theautonomous or host vehicle, a line parallel to the side of the vehiclecan be defined with these configuration parameters. In the exampleembodiment, there is no need to identify lane markings in the lateralimage data. The warped lateral images can be oriented to the parallelline corresponding to the side of the autonomous or host vehicle.

As a result of this warping of the lateral image data, the image becomestrapezoidal-shaped as shown in FIG. 8. After being warped, objects inthe warped lateral image data will be generally aligned with theorientation of the autonomous or host vehicle. Because of thisalignment, rectangular bounding boxes can be applied to objects detectedin the warped lateral image data. Again, because of the image warpingand resulting alignment, the rectangular bounding boxes will fit wellaround objects detected in the warped lateral image data. In otherwords, the rectangular bounding boxes will accurately and efficientlyrepresent the real occupied space of the detected objects, the size ofthe detected objects, and distance of the detected objects from theautonomous or host vehicle. If the warped image with bounding box isun-warped, the bounding box will be trapezoidal-shaped (e.g., see theexample shown in FIG. 11).

For autonomous or host vehicles with dual lateral cameras mounted oneach side of the vehicle, such as the example shown in FIG. 2, theexample embodiment can perform the image warping operation describedabove on each set of image data received from the dual lateral camerason each side of the autonomous or host vehicle. Additionally, as alsodescribed above, the object extraction operation can be performed on thewarped images to detect objects in the images. Bounding boxes can beapplied to each of the detected objects. As described above, because ofthe image warping and resulting alignment, the rectangular boundingboxes will fit well around objects detected in the warped lateral imagedata. Once the bounding boxes are applied to each of the detectedobjects in the warped lateral image data for each of the dual lateralcameras on each side of the autonomous or host vehicle, the images fromthe dual lateral cameras on each side of the autonomous or host vehiclecan be stitched together or combined to create a single combined imagedata set for each side of the autonomous or host vehicle. In otherwords, the image data from the forward left side camera is stitchedtogether or combined with the image data from the backward left sidecamera. Similarly, the image data from the forward right side camera isstitched together or combined with the image data from the backwardright side camera. As a result, the example embodiment produces twocombined image sets—one for the left side of the autonomous or hostvehicle and one for the right side of the autonomous or host vehicle.Because the images for each side of the autonomous or host vehicle arecombined, the same objects detected in multiple camera images can beidentified and processed as single objects instead of multiple objects.

In the example embodiment, the warped lateral image data for each of thedual lateral cameras on each side of the autonomous or host vehicle canbe stitched together or combined to create a single combined image dataset using the following process. First, the example embodiment canidentify matching portions of extracted features from each of the warpedimage data sets from each of the laterally-facing cameras. In theexample embodiment, feature points and matching the feature points fromeach of the warped image data sets from the forward lateral camera andthe backward/rear lateral camera can be identified. The matching featurepoints from each of the warped image data sets can be used to align theimages from each of the laterally-facing cameras. An example of thisprocess is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 illustrates an example ofsample images received from a forward lateral camera and a backward/rearlateral camera, wherein matching feature points from each of the imagedata sets can be used to align the images from each of multiplelaterally-facing cameras. Referring to the example of FIG. 9, thematching feature points from each of the image data sets can used toalign the images from each of the laterally-facing cameras. Once theimages are aligned, the images can be stitched together or combined toform a single contiguous image representing a combined image frommultiple laterally-facing cameras. An example of this stitching orcombining operation is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 10 illustrates anexample of the sample images from multiple laterally-facing camerasbeing stitched together or combined to form a single contiguous imagerepresenting a combined image from multiple laterally-facing cameras.

Referring to FIG. 11 for an example embodiment, bounding boxes can beapplied to each of the objects detected in the images received from eachof the multiple laterally-facing cameras. This process was describedabove. FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a sample image from a singlelaterally-facing camera or a stitched image from multiplelaterally-facing cameras wherein a bounding box has been applied to anobject detected in the one or more laterally-facing camera images. Notethat the bounding box outlining the object shown in FIG. 11 appearstrapezoidal because of the warping, alignment, and stitching operationsperformed in the example embodiments. The trapezoidal bounding boxeswill fit well around objects detected in the lateral image data. Assuch, the trapezoidal bounding boxes will accurately and efficientlyrepresent the real occupied space of the detected objects, the size ofthe detected objects, and distance of the detected objects from theautonomous or host vehicle.

Given the matching feature points from each of the lateral image datasets, detected objects in each of the lateral image data sets can alsobe matched between images from multiple laterally-facing cameras. Thus,the same detected object or matching object in images from multiplelaterally-facing cameras can be identified. Similarly, the boundingboxes for matching detected objects in images from multiplelaterally-facing cameras can be identified. In the example embodiment,the bounding boxes for matching detected objects can be stitchedtogether or combined so a single instance of the matching objects andtheir bounding boxes are represented in the single contiguous imagerepresenting a combined image from multiple laterally-facing cameras. Atthe completion of this processing, the contiguous image representing acombined image from multiple laterally-facing cameras can be processedin a manner similar to the image processing currently performed forimages from a single camera. In particular, the combined image can beused for feature or object extraction, neural network training, vehiclecontrol, or the like. Thus, as described, the example embodiments canresolve the problem of images being split between forward andbackward/rear lateral cameras.

FIG. 12 is an operational flow diagram illustrating an exampleembodiment of a system and method for processing images received fromeach of multiple laterally-facing cameras of an autonomous or hostvehicle. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 12, one or more imagestreams or lateral image data sets are received from a forward sidelaterally-facing camera (block 910). Similarly, one or more imagestreams or lateral image data sets are received from a backward/rearside laterally-facing camera (block 920). As described above, thelateral image data set from the forward side laterally-facing camera iswarped to align the lateral image data based on a line parallel to aside of the autonomous or host vehicle (block 912). Also, the lateralimage data set from the backward/rear side laterally-facing camera iswarped to align the lateral image data based on a line parallel to aside of the autonomous or host vehicle (block 922). As described above,the warped lateral image data sets from the forward and backward/rearside laterally-facing cameras are stitched together or combined to forma combined image representing lateral image data from multiplelaterally-facing cameras (block 930). Features from the warped lateralimage data sets can be extracted, matched, and used to perform thestitching or combining operation. The combined image from multiplelaterally-facing cameras can be used for object extraction to identifyor extract objects from the combined image. Two dimensional (2D)bounding boxes can be applied to each of the extracted objects (block940). The extracted objects and their bounding boxes can be processed ina standard manner to effect vehicle trajectory planning, vehiclecontrol, neural network training, simulation, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an example embodiment disclosed herein can beused in the context of an autonomous lateral vehicle detection system210 for autonomous vehicles. The autonomous lateral vehicle detectionsystem 210 can be included in or executed by the image processing module200 as described above. The autonomous lateral vehicle detection system210 can include an image warping module 212, an image stitching module214, and an object extraction module 216. These modules can beimplemented as processing modules, software or firmware elements,processing instructions, or other processing logic embodying any one ormore of the methodologies or functions described and/or claimed herein.The autonomous lateral vehicle detection system 210 can receive one ormore image streams or lateral image data sets from a forward sidelaterally-facing camera (block 205) and one or more image streams orlateral image data sets from a backward/rear side laterally-facingcamera (block 206). As described above, the image warping module 212 canbe configured to warp the lateral image data sets from the forward andbackward/rear side laterally-facing cameras to align the lateral imagedata based on a line parallel to a side of the autonomous or hostvehicle. As also described above, the image stitching module 214 can beconfigured to use the warped lateral image data sets from the forwardand backward/rear side laterally-facing cameras to stitch together orcombine the warped lateral image data sets to form a combined imagerepresenting image data from multiple laterally-facing cameras. Featuresfrom the warped lateral image data sets can be extracted, matched, andused to perform the stitching or combining operation. The objectextraction module 216 can be configured to perform object extraction onthe combined image from multiple laterally-facing cameras to identify orextract objects from the combined image. Two dimensional (2D) boundingboxes can be applied to each of the extracted objects. The autonomouslateral vehicle detection system 210 can provide as an output thelateral image data or lateral object detection data 220 generated asdescribed above.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a flow diagram illustrates an exampleembodiment of a system and method 1000 for lateral vehicle detection.The example embodiment can be configured to: receive lateral image datafrom at least one laterally-facing camera associated with an autonomousvehicle (processing block 1010); warp the lateral image data based on aline parallel to a side of the autonomous vehicle (processing block1020); perform object extraction on the warped lateral image data toidentify extracted objects in the warped lateral image data (processingblock 1030); and apply bounding boxes around the extracted objects(processing block 1040).

As used herein and unless specified otherwise, the term “mobile device”includes any computing or communications device that can communicatewith the in-vehicle control system 150 and/or the image processingmodule 200 described herein to obtain read or write access to datasignals, messages, or content communicated via any mode of datacommunications. In many cases, the mobile device 130 is a handheld,portable device, such as a smart phone, mobile phone, cellulartelephone, tablet computer, laptop computer, display pager, radiofrequency (RF) device, infrared (IR) device, global positioning device(GPS), Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), handheld computers, wearablecomputer, portable game console, other mobile communication and/orcomputing device, or an integrated device combining one or more of thepreceding devices, and the like. Additionally, the mobile device 130 canbe a computing device, personal computer (PC), multiprocessor system,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronic device, networkPC, diagnostics equipment, a system operated by a vehicle 119manufacturer or service technician, and the like, and is not limited toportable devices. The mobile device 130 can receive and process data inany of a variety of data formats. The data format may include or beconfigured to operate with any programming format, protocol, or languageincluding, but not limited to, JavaScript, C++, iOS, Android, etc.

As used herein and unless specified otherwise, the term “networkresource” includes any device, system, or service that can communicatewith the in-vehicle control system 150 and/or the image processingmodule 200 described herein to obtain read or write access to datasignals, messages, or content communicated via any mode of inter-processor networked data communications. In many cases, the network resource122 is a data network accessible computing platform, including client orserver computers, websites, mobile devices, peer-to-peer (P2P) networknodes, and the like. Additionally, the network resource 122 can be a webappliance, a network router, switch, bridge, gateway, diagnosticsequipment, a system operated by a vehicle 119 manufacturer or servicetechnician, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions(sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by thatmachine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term“machine” can also be taken to include any collection of machines thatindividually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructionsto perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. Thenetwork resources 122 may include any of a variety of providers orprocessors of network transportable digital content. Typically, the fileformat that is employed is Extensible Markup Language (XML), however,the various embodiments are not so limited, and other file formats maybe used. For example, data formats other than Hypertext Markup Language(HTML)/XML or formats other than open/standard data formats can besupported by various embodiments. Any electronic file format, such asPortable Document Format (PDF), audio (e.g., Motion Picture ExpertsGroup Audio Layer 3—MP3, and the like), video (e.g., MP4, and the like),and any proprietary interchange format defined by specific content sitescan be supported by the various embodiments described herein.

The wide area data network 120 (also denoted the network cloud) usedwith the network resources 122 can be configured to couple one computingor communication device with another computing or communication device.The network may be enabled to employ any form of computer readable dataor media for communicating information from one electronic device toanother. The network 120 can include the Internet in addition to otherwide area networks (WANs), cellular telephone networks, metro-areanetworks, local area networks (LANs), other packet-switched networks,circuit-switched networks, direct data connections, such as through auniversal serial bus (USB) or Ethernet port, other forms ofcomputer-readable media, or any combination thereof. The network 120 caninclude the Internet in addition to other wide area networks (WANs),cellular telephone networks, satellite networks, over-the-air broadcastnetworks, AM/FM radio networks, pager networks, UHF networks, otherbroadcast networks, gaming networks, WiFi networks, peer-to-peernetworks, Voice Over IP (VoIP) networks, metro-area networks, local areanetworks (LANs), other packet-switched networks, circuit-switchednetworks, direct data connections, such as through a universal serialbus (USB) or Ethernet port, other forms of computer-readable media, orany combination thereof. On an interconnected set of networks, includingthose based on differing architectures and protocols, a router orgateway can act as a link between networks, enabling messages to be sentbetween computing devices on different networks. Also, communicationlinks within networks can typically include twisted wire pair cabling,USB, Firewire, Ethernet, or coaxial cable, while communication linksbetween networks may utilize analog or digital telephone lines, full orfractional dedicated digital lines including T1, T2, T3, and T4,Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDNs), Digital User Lines (DSLs),wireless links including satellite links, cellular telephone links, orother communication links known to those of ordinary skill in the art.Furthermore, remote computers and other related electronic devices canbe remotely connected to the network via a modem and temporary telephonelink.

The network 120 may further include any of a variety of wirelesssub-networks that may further overlay stand-alone ad-hoc networks, andthe like, to provide an infrastructure-oriented connection. Suchsub-networks may include mesh networks, Wireless LAN (WLAN) networks,cellular networks, and the like. The network may also include anautonomous system of terminals, gateways, routers, and the likeconnected by wireless radio links or wireless transceivers. Theseconnectors may be configured to move freely and randomly and organizethemselves arbitrarily, such that the topology of the network may changerapidly. The network 120 may further employ one or more of a pluralityof standard wireless and/or cellular protocols or access technologiesincluding those set forth herein in connection with network interface712 and network 714 described in the figures herewith.

In a particular embodiment, a mobile device 132 and/or a networkresource 122 may act as a client device enabling a user to access anduse the in-vehicle control system 150 and/or the image processing module200 to interact with one or more components of a vehicle subsystem.These client devices 132 or 122 may include virtually any computingdevice that is configured to send and receive information over anetwork, such as network 120 as described herein. Such client devicesmay include mobile devices, such as cellular telephones, smart phones,tablet computers, display pagers, radio frequency (RF) devices, infrared(IR) devices, global positioning devices (GPS), Personal DigitalAssistants (PDAs), handheld computers, wearable computers, gameconsoles, integrated devices combining one or more of the precedingdevices, and the like. The client devices may also include othercomputing devices, such as personal computers (PCs), multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,network PC's, and the like. As such, client devices may range widely interms of capabilities and features. For example, a client deviceconfigured as a cell phone may have a numeric keypad and a few lines ofmonochrome LCD display on which only text may be displayed. In anotherexample, a web-enabled client device may have a touch sensitive screen,a stylus, and a color LCD display screen in which both text and graphicsmay be displayed. Moreover, the web-enabled client device may include abrowser application enabled to receive and to send wireless applicationprotocol messages (WAP), and/or wired application messages, and thelike. In one embodiment, the browser application is enabled to employHyperText Markup Language (HTML), Dynamic HTML, Handheld Device MarkupLanguage (HDML), Wireless Markup Language (WML), WMLScript, JavaScript™,EXtensible HTML (xHTML), Compact HTML (CHTML), and the like, to displayand send a message with relevant information.

The client devices may also include at least one client application thatis configured to receive content or messages from another computingdevice via a network transmission. The client application may include acapability to provide and receive textual content, graphical content,video content, audio content, alerts, messages, notifications, and thelike. Moreover, the client devices may be further configured tocommunicate and/or receive a message, such as through a Short MessageService (SMS), direct messaging (e.g., Twitter), email, MultimediaMessage Service (MMS), instant messaging (IM), internet relay chat(IRC), mIRC, Jabber, Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS), text messaging,Smart Messaging, Over the Air (OTA) messaging, or the like, betweenanother computing device, and the like. The client devices may alsoinclude a wireless application device on which a client application isconfigured to enable a user of the device to send and receiveinformation to/from network resources wirelessly via the network.

The in-vehicle control system 150 and/or the image processing module 200can be implemented using systems that enhance the security of theexecution environment, thereby improving security and reducing thepossibility that the in-vehicle control system 150 and/or the imageprocessing module 200 and the related services could be compromised byviruses or malware. For example, the in-vehicle control system 150and/or the image processing module 200 can be implemented using aTrusted Execution Environment, which can ensure that sensitive data isstored, processed, and communicated in a secure way.

FIG. 15 shows a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the exampleform of a computing system 700 within which a set of instructions whenexecuted and/or processing logic when activated may cause the machine toperform any one or more of the methodologies described and/or claimedherein. In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as a standalonedevice or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In anetworked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of aserver or a client machine in server-client network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. Themachine may be a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a tabletcomputing system, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellulartelephone, a smartphone, a web appliance, a set-top box (STB), a networkrouter, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set ofinstructions (sequential or otherwise) or activating processing logicthat specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only asingle machine is illustrated, the term “machine” can also be taken toinclude any collection of machines that individually or jointly executea set (or multiple sets) of instructions or processing logic to performany one or more of the methodologies described and/or claimed herein.

The example computing system 700 can include a data processor 702 (e.g.,a System-on-a-Chip (SoC), general processing core, graphics core, andoptionally other processing logic) and a memory 704, which cancommunicate with each other via a bus or other data transfer system 706.The mobile computing and/or communication system 700 may further includevarious input/output (I/O) devices and/or interfaces 710, such as atouchscreen display, an audio jack, a voice interface, and optionally anetwork interface 712. In an example embodiment, the network interface712 can include one or more radio transceivers configured forcompatibility with any one or more standard wireless and/or cellularprotocols or access technologies (e.g., 2nd (2G), 2.5, 3rd (3G), 4th(4G) generation, and future generation radio access for cellularsystems, Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), General PacketRadio Services (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), WidebandCode Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), LTE, CDMA2000, WLAN, WirelessRouter (WR) mesh, and the like). Network interface 712 may also beconfigured for use with various other wired and/or wirelesscommunication protocols, including TCP/IP, UDP, SIP, SMS, RTP, WAP,CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, UWB, WiFi, WiMax, Bluetooth IEEE 802.11x, and thelike. In essence, network interface 712 may include or support virtuallyany wired and/or wireless communication and data processing mechanismsby which information/data may travel between a computing system 700 andanother computing or communication system via network 714.

The memory 704 can represent a machine-readable medium on which isstored one or more sets of instructions, software, firmware, or otherprocessing logic (e.g., logic 708) embodying any one or more of themethodologies or functions described and/or claimed herein. The logic708, or a portion thereof, may also reside, completely or at leastpartially within the processor 702 during execution thereof by themobile computing and/or communication system 700. As such, the memory704 and the processor 702 may also constitute machine-readable media.The logic 708, or a portion thereof, may also be configured asprocessing logic or logic, at least a portion of which is partiallyimplemented in hardware. The logic 708, or a portion thereof, mayfurther be transmitted or received over a network 714 via the networkinterface 712. While the machine-readable medium of an exampleembodiment can be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium”should be taken to include a single non-transitory medium or multiplenon-transitory media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and computing systems) that store the one ormore sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” can alsobe taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the various embodiments, or that is capable of storing,encoding or carrying data structures utilized by or associated with sucha set of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” canaccordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-statememories, optical media, and magnetic media.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claimsare hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separate embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a data processor; and amemory for storing an autonomous lateral vehicle detection system,executable by the data processor, the autonomous lateral vehicledetection system being configured to: receive image data from at leastone camera installed on an autonomous vehicle; warp the image data basedon configuration parameters corresponding to an installation orientationof the at least one camera relative to the autonomous vehicle; extractan object from the warped image data; and apply a bounding box aroundthe extracted object in the warped image data.
 2. The system of claim 1wherein the at least one camera comprises a plurality of cameras,wherein the autonomous lateral vehicle system is further configured to:identify matching portions of extracted features from the warped imagedata from different ones of the plurality of cameras; stitch togetherthe warped image data based on the matching portions of the extractedfeatures; and form the bounding box based on the matching portions ofthe extracted object.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein applying thebounding box around the extracted object in the warped image datacomprises: applying portions of the bounding box respectively, on thewarped image data from different ones of the plurality of cameras,wherein forming the bounding box based on the matching portions of theextracted object comprises: stitching together the portions of thebounding box based on the matching portions of the extracted object. 4.The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one camera is at least onelaterally-facing camera associated the autonomous vehicle, wherein theat least one laterally-facing camera is from the group consisting of: aforward laterally-facing camera and a backward laterally-facing camera.5. The system of claim 1 wherein the autonomous lateral vehicle systemis further configured to warp the image data based on a line parallel toa side of the autonomous vehicle defined with the configurationparameters.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein the line is a pre-definedline, or a line extracted from the image data.
 7. The system of claim 5wherein the line parallel to the side of the autonomous vehicle isconfigured based on an installation of the at least one camera, whereinthe configuration parameters further correspond to an orientation of abottom edge of the image data.
 8. A method comprising: receiving imagedata from at least one camera installed on an autonomous vehicle;warping the image data based on configuration parameters correspondingto an installation orientation of the at least one camera relative tothe autonomous vehicle; extracting an object from the warped image data;and applying a bounding box around the extracted object in the warpedimage data.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the warped image datacreates a trapezoidal image.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein thebounding box is rectangular.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein the atleast one camera comprises a plurality of cameras, wherein the methodfurther comprises: identifying matching portions of extracted featuresfrom the warped image data from different ones of the plurality ofcameras; and stitching together the warped image data based on thematching portions of the extracted features, wherein the stitched imagedata forms a single contiguous image representing a stitched image fromthe plurality of cameras.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:forming the bounding box based on the matching portions of the extractedobject.
 13. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one cameracomprises a plurality of cameras, wherein the method further comprises:identifying matching portions of extracted features from the warpedimage data from different ones of the plurality of cameras; andcombining the warped image data based on the matching portions of theextracted features, wherein the combined image data forms a singlecontiguous image representing a combined image from the plurality ofcameras.
 14. The method of claim 8 wherein a number of the extractedobject is at least two, wherein a number of the bounding box is at leasttwo, wherein each of the bounding boxes corresponds to each of theextracted objects respectively.
 15. A non-transitory machine-useablestorage medium embodying instructions which, when executed by a machine,cause the machine to: receive image data from at least one camerainstalled on an autonomous vehicle; warp the image data based onconfiguration parameters corresponding to an installation orientation ofthe at least one camera relative to the autonomous vehicle; extract anobject from the warped image data; and apply a bounding box around theextracted object in the warped image data.
 16. The non-transitorymachine-useable storage medium of claim 15 wherein the object in thewarped image data is aligned with an orientation of the autonomousvehicle.
 17. The non-transitory machine-useable storage medium of claim15 wherein the at least one camera comprises a plurality of cameras,wherein the non-transitory machine-useable storage medium embodyinginstruction further causes the machine to: stitch together the warpedimage data from different ones of the plurality of cameras to form asingle image, wherein the bounding box is applied around the extractedobject in the single image.
 18. The non-transitory machine-useablestorage medium of claim 17 wherein the bounding box is trapezoidal. 19.The non-transitory machine-useable storage medium of claim 17 whereinthe single image is modified to be rectangular.
 20. The non-transitorymachine-useable storage medium of claim 15 wherein the bounding box istwo-dimensional (2D).